How Much do Esports Players Make? – Esports Earnings Explained
Ever wondered how much do esports players make? The landscape for esports pros as changed a lot, with plenty of different reasons that players get picked up now compared to just being at the top of their game.
How much do esports players make?
Obviously, player earnings are very game dependant. If you’re looking to ge the majority of of your earnings from your placings at big tournaments, then big events like The International (Dota 2) and the Counter-Strike Majors offer prize pools in the millions. Winning teams can take home hefty cash prizes from beating out every other competitor. Even smaller scale events without developer support can still garner large payouts due to the common practice of player entry contributing to a prize pot.
For “grassroots” events that offer a tournament style bracket with no previous qualifiers, pay outs tend to follow a % split of player entry. Common splits are 70/20/10, or the more conservative 60/25/15 if you only pay out Top 3. Some events pay out all the way to top 16, with Fortnite making multiple teenage millionaires like Aqua with its prizepools.
The following breakdown, although vague can give you some better insight:
| Player Earnings | Annual Salary Range | Income Sources | Examples / Player Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amateur-Level | 5000$ - 50000$ | Small partnerships, occasional prize pools | Amateur players and aspiring talent |
| Mid-Tier | $50,000 - $150,000 | Tournaments Prizes, Sponsorships, Streaming | Competitive players with esports as their main career |
| Top-Tier | $150,000 - $500,000+ | Major Sponsorships, Tournament Wins, Revenue Sharing, Streaming | Esports players in top-tier esports organizations in major titles |
| Elite/Superstar Players | $500,000 - $10,000,000+ | Individual Sponsorships, Streaming, Ownership Stakes, | Esports Icons like: Bugha, N0tail, Faker, Caps, S1mple |
It’s not all about winning
One of the benefits of winning a lot is that at these massive streamed events, you get more screen time. With more screen time, people get more invested in the players.
Brands love esports stars. Top players get sponsorship deals that can be worth thousands or even millions. It’s all about promoting products to their huge audiences. The reason many top orgs have plenty of logos all over their jerseys is because the players and teams winning are frequently flexing these logos by being on the top stage. For many players and watchers at home, if its good enough for the big stage, it must be good enough for me.
Streaming
The same goes for personal streams, which are a popular side hustle for esports players. Plenty of top players have their own streaming presence. This is often because esports earnings can be inconsistent as they are dependent on your or your team’s placements, and team security isn’t always guaranteed.
Streaming on Twitch or YouTube is another goldmine. Players earn from ads, subs, and donations. Popular streamers can make big bucks, from a few thousand to over a hundred thousand dollars a month if they’re at the top of their game. Players like TenZ or FNS in Valorant have been able to support themselves as creators while not playing on their starting rosters.
People like Shroud can consistently earn more from streaming without having to keep their skills at the absolute peak like they would in active competition. With individual success as a content creator, it also opens the avenue for fans to interact via merch. As much as the team fan culture is still a prevalent and driving factor of esports, more and more fans are willing to follow a plyer and be fans of an individual, rather than the team they’re on.
Team Salaries
Organizations, especially those playing in tier 1 tournaments, offer player salaries. Winning is a full-time job. And if players have to split time with other employment and practice, it’s hard to have enough time to stay at the top. These can range widely, but top-tier players can earn six-figure incomes, with North American salaries in some games being astronomical.
Esports players make money through tournament winnings, sponsorships, streaming, team salaries, and merch sales. While the amounts can vary, top players are definitely earning well. Whether you’re dreaming of going pro or just curious, esports can be a lucrative gig.
Since: June 4, 2024
